It’s probably the most fantastic time. We refer, in fact, to eagerly opening the bumper festive TV listings and realising there’s not a lot you need to watch. Bah humbug! Don’t despair. Merely fill the gaps with some even handed archive rummaging and revisit the very best Christmas specials of the previous. From tinsel-draped drama to cracker-pulling comedy, from snow-blanketed animation to fairylit leisure, there’s something to thaw the guts of any small-screen Scrooge. Right here’s our creation number of the 25 all-time finest – and the place to stream them …
A Charlie Brown Christmas (Apple TV+)
Ice-skating. Lovely animation. A soundtrack of jazz and carols. There are few 25-minute treats extra festive than this 1965 staple. Gloomy concerning the commercialisation of Christmas, our hero tries to remedy his vacation blues by placing on a play. Within the course of, he recaptures the season’s true which means – symbolised by a tiny tree.
Gavin & Stacey (BBC iPlayer)
The final ever episode is the TV occasion of this Christmas. Heat up by reliving the Anglo-Welsh sitcom’s first festive particular from 2008. As Stacey’s household journey from Barry to Billericay to have a good time with the in-laws, proposals are made, punches are thrown and drama queen Pam (Alison Steadman) pretends to be vegetarian. Once more.
The Snowman (Channel 4)
A yuletide must-watch. The Bafta-winning 1982 adaptation of Raymond Briggs’s story of a boy befriending a snowman retains all its magical appeal. Dialogue-free however totally enchanting. All collectively now: “We’re strolling within the air … ”
EastEnders (BBC iPlayer)
“Blissful Christmas, Ange.” That’s what Queen Vic landlord Soiled Den famously snarls as he fingers spouse Angie her shock current: divorce papers. Watched by a record-breaking 30 million folks – practically half the nation – in 1986, it set the custom for festive distress in soapland. Christmas editions haven’t been remotely merry since.
The Simpsons: Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fireplace (Disney+)
The Springfield establishment’s debut episode launched TV’s favorite dysfunctional household at Christmas 1989. Delinquent Bart will get a tattoo, forcing mum Marge to blow the festive finances on having it eliminated. Dad Homer takes a side-hustle as a shopping center Santa and bets his wages on the canine monitor (D’oh!) earlier than it’s all wrapped up in a waggy ending.
Wallace & Gromit: The Improper Trousers (BBC iPlayer)
The stop-motion duo and their beady-eyed nemesis Feathers McGraw return this Christmas for a long-awaited sequel. What higher time to reacquaint your self with the 1993 authentic? The villainous penguin makes use of Wallace’s techno-trousers to steal a diamond. Can intelligent canine Gromit outwit the 3ft-tall felony mastermind?
Christmas With the Royle Household (BBC iPlayer)
The landmark comedy a couple of bickering household slumped in entrance of the telly comes into its personal over Christmas. Can’t suppose why. The New Couch from 2008 can also be a belter however we’ve gone for its first festive particular, from 1999. Because the Mancunian clan watch Noel’s Christmas Presents, drink snowballs and criticise Barbara’s turkey, pregnant Denise’s waters break and pa Jim comforts her on the toilet ground. Poetry.
Black Mirror: White Christmas (Netflix)
Charlie Brooker’s dystopian anthology shook up the system like a snowglobe for this 2014 particular. Rafe Spall wakes up in a snowy cabin with no thought how he acquired there. Enigmatic housemate Jon Hamm is his solely hope of figuring out why. To go the time, the pair regale one another with festive tales which can be the alternative of feelgood. Wizzard won’t ever sound the identical once more.
The Workplace Christmas Specials (BBC iPlayer)
Even probably the most cynical sitcom deserves a cheerful ending. In 2003, Ricky Gervais and Stephen Service provider’s mockumentary masterpiece got here to a two-part Christmassy climax. Chilled-out entertainer David Brent discovered a date for the annual Wernham Hogg celebration and at last stood as much as frenemy Finchy. Yazoo’s Solely You soundtracked Tim and Daybreak lastly kissing. Air punches nationwide. No notes.
Schitt’s Creek: Merry Christmas, Johnny Rose (Netflix)
There are few festive specials extra heartwarming than the cosy Canadian comedy’s 2018 episode. Proud patriarch (Eugene Levy) tries to throw a lavish Christmas Eve celebration like those the household hosted earlier than chapter. He ultimately learns that Christmas is about family members, not luxurious.
Solely Fools and Horses: The Jolly Boys’ Outing (ITVX)
For 20 years, the lovely-jubbly sitcom was the centrepiece of the BBC’s Christmas schedules. Early effort Thicker Than Water has its devotees however we’ve plumped for the 1989 romp the place the Trotters and the Nag’s Head gang go for a day beside the seaside in Margate. Cue disastrous dinners, punch-ups, an exploding coach – and Del rekindling his misplaced love. Snug.
The X-Information: How the Ghosts Stole Christmas (Channel 4/Disney+)
This bottle episode, with a solid of 4 on a single set, sees brokers Mulder and Scully stake out a haunted home – solely to find a few lovelorn ghosts, hellbent on proving how lonely Christmas will be. The desire-they-won’t-they FBI duo’s climactic alternate of items is amongst their loveliest moments.
The Good Life: Foolish, However It’s Enjoyable (ITVX)
“The Ooh-Ah Chicken is so known as as a result of it lays sq. eggs.” The suburban sitcom’s 1977 particular is a comfortable retro pleasure. After a bust-up with the supply driver, well-to-do Margo and Jerry are left with no decorations, meals or drink. Self-sufficient neighbours Tom and Barbara invite them spherical for pea-pod burgundy and parlour video games.
The Bear: Fishes (Disney+)
This chaotically intense, double-length flashback episode received 4 Emmys. Carmy flies again from Copenhagen for a Berzatto household Christmas however previous beefs resurface and issues spiral uncontrolled. A flamable Jamie Lee Curtis leads a star-studded visitor solid. Sure, chef. Simply don’t ask “Are you OK?”, chef.
Christmas at Downton Abbey (ITVX/Netflix)
The upstairs-downstairs costume drama signed off its second collection with a pleasant dose of seasonal soapiness – all climaxing with a wedding proposal within the snow. Irresistibly romantic and elegantly performed. Simply don’t press play on the 2012 particular afterwards should you don’t need to wind up a sobbing mess.
Understanding Me, Understanding Yuletide With Alan Partridge (ITVX)
North Norfolk’s most interesting put the ultimate nail within the coffin of his chatshow with this festive fiasco. Sights embrace the world’s largest cracker, a real virgin known as Mary and Mick Hucknall carol-singing. Proceedings finish with Alan being advised he’ll by no means work in TV once more and punching his boss with a partridge on his fist. Textbook.
Pals: The One With the Vacation Armadillo (Netflix)
The globe-conquering sitcom is best know for its Thanksgiving episodes however this Christmas one got here throughout its imperial part. Preventing a dropping battle to show his son Ben concerning the magic of Hanukkah, Ross realises the costume store has run out of Santa fits. Answer? Dressing up as “the Vacation Armadillo”, Santa’s part-Jewish pal.
Peep Present: Seasonal Beatings (Channel 4)
Sunny Delight and cava cocktails all spherical as codependent flatmates Mark and Jeremy share a household Christmas from hell. Yuletide delights embrace Dobby denial, shouty charades, Tremendous Hans gatecrashing as “Father Spliffmas” and Mark placing his dad’s dinner by means of a paper shredder. Remind us: is cauliflower conventional?
Victoria Wooden’s Mid Life Christmas (Apple TV+)
The late comedian genius described her first sketch present for 9 years as “a complete evening’s telly crammed into one hour”. Cue a Babycham-fuelled cavalcade of TV parodies (Lark Pies to Cranchesterford, anybody?), movie star cameos and an viewers with diva Bo Beaumont, the actor behind cleaning soap star Mrs General.
Blackadder’s Christmas Carol (ITVX)
This Dickens reversal sees Ebenezer Blackadder begin out as “the nicest man in England”. When a ghost offers him glimpses of his crafty previous and sci-fi future, he alters his methods. Hugh Laurie narrates, whereas Miriam Margolyes, Jim Broadbent and Robbie Coltrane make cameos.
The 1971 Morecambe and Sensible Christmas Present (BBC iPlayer)
The sunshine leisure period peaked with Eric and Ern’s nation-uniting festive extravaganzas and 1971 is the true basic. The all-singing, all-dancing duo are joined by Glenda Jackson, Shirley Bassey and Andre “Preview” Previn. Eric performs all the proper notes, in fact. Simply not essentially in the proper order.
Father Ted: A Christmassy Ted (Channel 4)
Christmas on Craggy Island? Ah, go on. Whereas the hapless monks get caught in Eire’s largest lingerie division, Father Jack teaches toddlers to swear and Mrs Doyle pratfalls whereas placing up the decorations. However who let Father Dougal officiate a funeral?
The OC: The Finest Chrismukkah Ever (ITVX)
He returned this yr in romcom No person Needs This however Adam Brody first charmed his means into viewers’ hearts within the 00s teen drama. As nerdy Seth Cohen, he introduces adopted brother Ryan to his Christmas-Hanukkah hybrid, AKA “the best super-holiday identified to mankind”. An endearing story of interfaith togetherness.
Physician Who: A Christmas Carol (BBC iPlayer/Disney+)
We’re additionally a fan of Voyage of the Damned (starring Kylie) and The Subsequent Physician (starring David Morrissey) however this slice of Dickensian sci-fi edges it because the Time Lord’s most interesting festive particular. Michael Gambon is the Scrooge-like miser in a fairytale involving crashing house liners, flying sharks and a cryogenically frozen Katherine Jenkins.
The League of Gents: Yuletide By no means Depart (BBC iPlayer)
The surreal horror sitcom’s 2000 portmanteau particular finds vicar Bernice listening to three disturbing Royston Vasey confessions, involving voodoos, vampire and cursed monkey testicles. Blackly hilarious and completely terrifying. You’re my spouse now.
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